Is A 240L Tank Too Much For Upstairs?

[CezzaXV]

What the title says really. Found a bargain in my area on eBay but not sure if it'll be okay upstairs. Getting a builder in/ripping up the floorboards isn't an option for me, but my room is small and it will only be about 6 feet away from two external walls. I can try and draw a layout of my house later when I get home, as the stairs are in the middle and might help suggest where the joists might be. I also have access to the attic above if there are any clue you think might be up there.

I look to you guys for advice - if you say no, I won't chance it.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

a-ha, Cezza has 'multi tank syndrome' already, he-he-he

What has been suggested on here in the past is getting in a qualified builder or structural engineer.. but as you stated that is not an option then i, personally, wouldn't risk it. All they would do is take up 4/5 floor boards and mark where your 'joists' or 'beams' are, therefore allowing you to spread the weight of the tank evenly and safely.

terry.

 

[StandbySetting]

Nobody on this forum is qualified to say yes or no, consult a structural engineer, or place the tank upstairs at your own risk.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Nobody on this forum is qualified to say yes or no, consult a structural engineer, or place the tank upstairs at your own risk.

How do you know that?



Pull the carpet back lift a floor board and see which way the joists run. The tanks weight should be spread accross the joints and not the length of them. Is very dobale but at your onw risk ofc

 

[StandbySetting]

Well, that was said with the fact in mind that it's quite unlikely anyone will be able to survey the OP's house.

 

[Tizer]

I personally wouldnt worry about 250 litres of water, if it got to 400-500 (half a tonne) then yes, i would. But as people have said, its impossible to tell you with any certainty.

Im about to put a rack/shelving up in my office, which is effectively in the middle of the upstairs floor, it has no wall supports below it other than the joists for the floor, including a double joist right below it. I dont plan to go over 300 litres of water on it, but i do have a plywood floor with an additional wooden slat flooring on top of it to distribute a lot of the weight.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Well, that was said with the fact in mind that it's quite unlikely anyone will be able to survey the OP's house.

Fair enough being qualified to give advise and to survey their house is 2 diff things

 

[CezzaXV]

Haha, well I wasn't planning on having multiple tanks, just upgrading.

My room's got wood flooring rather than carpet, and it's all nailed down, so I doubt I'd be able to get it up.

The tank is actually quite a bit bigger than I was originally gonna go for so maybe I'll give this one a miss and carry on looking. Is there a generally accepted safe weight for upstairs or does it depend on positioning? I've currently got a 60L in my room but no idea how it sits in relation to the joists as it weighs less than I do!

The wall I plan to put it against, there is a beam that runs across the ceiling in the room downstairs in the same spot, but tbh I'm not sure if it's a supporting beam or just decorative.

 

[Tizer]

I turn the weight into people and try to imagine those people standing in the area i want the tank and use my own judgement to decide if its too much or not. I know people move and tanks dont, but it does help you make a common sense judgement, which is all you can do in this situation.

 

[Aqua Tom]

The main thing you have to do with an upstairs tank is to "spread" the wieght, either with addition joist or the much easier option.

Go to the hardware centre & get a great big bit of marine or external ply & sit the tank & stand on that.


Tom

 

[BigbruiserAl]

If another member sits on my shoulders we can stand there for a few days if you supply the bacon butties that should do it

 

[friendlyfishy777]

My 200L tank is in my bedroom and it seems fine. I worried about the weight issue myself but I looked around and saw someone asking the same question on another fish forum, and someone produced a link which stated all houses after 1950 have to be able to take a certain amount of weight. I regret to say I have since forgotten what that amount was, but I know it made feel safe enough to put my 200L upstairs. Have a good Google search on building laws and regulations.

I don’t hear of married couples with a combined weight of 35 stone going through the celling during love making, so I think it should be okay.

 

[StandbySetting]

1.5KN/m[sup]2[/sup] In the UK.